Improvement in folding chairs



J. I. WAKEFIELD.

FOLDING CHAIR.

N0.179,98Z. Patented. J'u1y18,1876.

UNITED STATES PATENT CFFTCE.

JOHN E. WAKEFIELD, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD W. VAILL, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING CHAIRS} Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,982, dated duly 18, 1876; application filed April 11, 1876.

tion:

This invention is made with reference to applying a strain upon the. flexible seat. In folding chairs Where the frame unfolds to a definite position the flexible seat is not under strain when the parts reach that position; hence a flexible seat that becomes elongated by strain hangs in an objectionable manner when the chair is not in use, and does not support the person properly when in use.

My invention relates to a chair of thegeneral character shown in the patent of I. Born, No. 82,791; and consists-in combining with the back-frame and front legs a folding seat stretcher and stop-links, whereby the flexible seat is constantly under the required tension, and the stop-links limit the forward movement of the front legs.

1n the drawing, Figure l is a section of the chair as open for use. Fig. 2-is a side view of the chair as folded, and Fig. 3 is a front elevation.

The back-frame a, with the cross-bars b, forms both the back of the chair and the back legs, and the front legs 0 areextended up and united with the back by. the pivots d. The seat-stretcher is made of the side pieces 6 e, hinged or pivoted at f to the back legs, and thecross-pieceg, that unites the front ends,

and forms the rail to which the flexible seat h is connected, and said seat extends to the cross rail -70 in the back-frame. The seatstretchers receive their support from the back legs, so that their weight tends to draw the flexible seat nearly straight. I apply links l between the seat-stretchers e and the front legs, such links being pivoted to the legs 0 at 0, and having slots near their. lower ends for the screws or pins r in the stretchers c. When the chair is opened for use the ends of the links Z and the cross rail or stops it come into contact and prevent the chair-legs spreading, and the slots in the links l allow the pins 7' to move up or down in such slots, according to the tension upon the flexible seat.

This improved folding chair is specially intended for a flexible seat; but if a rigid seat is used, with the'other parts of the chair constructed as aforesaid, it may be made to slide at the back between the legs a a, and be permanently connected at the front end to the cross'rail g.

If the rigid seat is pivoted at the back to I the back legs it may fold upwardly, and the forward ends of the seat-stretchers will pass into-hooked recesses, or be otherwise connected to prevent the said seat-stretchers e falling to the bottom of the slots in the links l.

I claim as my inventionv The combination, with the back franie a, b and front legs 0, pivoted at d to the back legs, of the seat-stretchers e, pivoted at f to the legs a, and the links I, attached to the legs 0 and stretchers e, substantially as set forth.

Signed by me this 8th day of April, A. D.

JOHN E. WAKEFIELD. 

